CVA Hawken 58cal Build

A few months ago I got itchy for a sidelock project and after calling some places for prices on parts, I got most everything ordered.

I ordered the Douglas 32" 58cal barrel with 1:66 twist from deer creek, along with all my other parts that I am waiting to come in.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGY-8U0WAZk/UMvcZjynWiI/AAAAAAAACH8/UpdG8hr7Sys/s200/DSCN5130.JPG

Tang and rear section of barrel have been bedded. I am not done bedding yet, i just wanted to get a start and see where else i'd have to touch up afterward.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POIw6EFGEkM/UMvcK39sSOI/AAAAAAAACH0/7O--MgELaNc/s200/DSCN5128.JPG

Hopefully the rest of the parts will be later today and the end of the week, a lot of work to shape the stock is needed and filing some brass trim is greatly in need.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YPHY2mbqha4/UMvc3mmQohI/AAAAAAAACIE/-qRpQRCr588/s320/DSCN5124.JPG

Looks like you gotta diamond in the rough. Can't wait to see how she looks when "born" and how she shoots with the PRB. That narrow butt plate is gonna hurt if you launch any of those big ol' 500gr minies. Even though it has a shotgun style wide butt plate I still put a rubber slip on recoil pad onto my Musketoon for the minies.

frontiergander

December 21, 2012, 02:06 AM

this one is strictly for round balls, if i need anything bigger than a 270gr round ball, im in trouble! LOL

frontiergander

December 30, 2012, 04:22 PM

Birchwood Casey Perma Blue. I did 3 coats of it to where it was jet black and then oiled some 0000 steel wool and knocked it back to a worn blue look. Came out nice, I really like how that cold blue worked out.

I wish that I could find the time to build the one I want like that, unfortunately work is getting in the way of my free time way too much.

loose noose

January 1, 2013, 12:40 PM

Come-on Foto Joe, just retire afterall, work is the curse of the working class. Hell since I retired I'm busier than a one armed paperhanger. Not too mention, making more money doing things I enjoy doing.:D

Foto Joe

January 1, 2013, 01:05 PM

Oh I could indeed retire, but I wouldn't be able to live in the manner to which I've become accustomed. I do however have what I consider to be "A leisurely attitude towards employment". I'm currently doing a six month stint here in Texas gathering up enough "fun chips" to be able to goof off this summer back in Wyoming.

The Hawken "type" rifle that I have on my to do list has already gotten the approval of management and I've got enough in my eBay selling account to have Pecatonica River ship me the parts but I just don't have the time right now. I've currently got an 1860 Sheriff Model which I've stripped the bluing off of and am looking forward to defarbing, polishing and having engraved either in a Texas Rangers Commorative or a Wyoming Territorial Commorative but I haven't sat down and started burnishing out the markings on it yet.

I've had the opportunity to shoot a few Hawken style rifles and I am extremely impressed with them. A historically correct one with iron furniture with a highly polished Plum Brown finish is on my bucket list.

frontiergander

January 8, 2013, 01:46 AM

2 coats birchwood casey walnut, let dry, soak 0000 steel wool in boiled linseed oil and lightly buff for a smooth finish and a great way to test color of stain. Remove with mineral spirits if more stain is needed.

I loved it so much that i doubt i will put a truoil finish on it.

Lighter spots are the natural colors of the wood after oiling. Its in the perfect spots too where the stock normally would get a lot of wear and tear from normal handling if you were a mountain man, tramping all over the mountains.
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm53/thepowerbeltforum/Custom%20shop%20Finshes/DSCN5327.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm53/thepowerbeltforum/Custom%20shop%20Finshes/DSCN5328.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm53/thepowerbeltforum/Custom%20shop%20Finshes/DSCN5330.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm53/thepowerbeltforum/Custom%20shop%20Finshes/DSCN5334.jpg

Not the greatest pics, i will get some with it outside tomorrow.

Still have a great deal of brass work to be done before i antique those parts. The worn barrel bluing job really set it off.

Rojelio

January 8, 2013, 12:06 PM

Looks great! Can't wait for a range report.

Hellgate

January 8, 2013, 12:39 PM

More linseed! More rubbing! then even more! She's gettin' purdier.

frontiergander

January 8, 2013, 02:25 PM

guys i tested a little true oil on a section of the stock. I'd be stupid if i just used the linseed oil. That truoil brought out the figure and just made it pop. I may do just 10 coats of truoil and then do the oiled steel wool and knock the shine off. It looks to darn good with that truoil.

BHP FAN

January 8, 2013, 04:51 PM

I love Truoil, and I think you needn't worry about the shine, you'll soon knock that off with use!

colonelhogan44

January 8, 2013, 08:32 PM

Do the minwax antique oil finish (it's stickied in the gunsmithing/repairs section).

Goingto let the stock set up for a few days before i pull the brass and polish everything and then antique it.

frontiergander

January 15, 2013, 05:20 PM

Heres some pics with the brass all blacked out.
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm53/thepowerbeltforum/Custom%20shop%20Finshes/DSCN5441.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm53/thepowerbeltforum/Custom%20shop%20Finshes/DSCN5442.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm53/thepowerbeltforum/Custom%20shop%20Finshes/DSCN5444.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm53/thepowerbeltforum/Custom%20shop%20Finshes/DSCN5446.jpg

ivankerley

January 15, 2013, 06:58 PM

looks fantastic! really nice job.
Funny im knockin back the brass on my .50 Hawkens, hows the wear resistance of the antiquing on your brass? Im using Birchwood Casey Cold blue, works fine and will take it to almost black, im doing it just because i dont care for real shiny brass:) wear resistance is so-so...
again beautiful rifle
gene

frontiergander

January 15, 2013, 11:05 PM

I know if i hit heavy brush and such, it certainly will scratch off, but thats kind of the point, age it and let things happen naturally. I still have a bunch left, so if it gets to the point where its ugly, just touch it up.

I just did the ramrod thimbles with the brass black, looks even better now. Did i mention that i hate brass? LOL

ivankerley

January 16, 2013, 12:14 AM

I know if i hit heavy brush and such, it certainly will scratch off, but thats kind of the point, age it and let things happen naturally. I still have a bunch left, so if it gets to the point where its ugly, just touch it up.

I just did the ramrod thimbles with the brass black, looks even better now. Did i mention that i hate brass? LOL
i kinda gathered that from the pictures:D
beautiful rifle
gene

frontiergander

January 21, 2013, 01:59 AM

I am so friggin pumped right now! I got that 58cal barrel MOUNTED on the cva hawken stock now! I was waiting to pay a gunsmith to do it but tonight i had a wild hair up my rear end and so i went out into the shop and got the hack saw and some files. 45 minutes later i got that sucker as perfect as you could ask for!

I first glued the tenon to the barrel flat and took note of how much i had to remove " A little more than half of the original depth" and when i was cutting the dove tail one hack saw blade width at the time, i made sure to keep the lines even. After that i used a square file and got the chunk all taken out, used the saw blade again and held it flat to cut the taper and then finished up with a 3 sides triangle file. Tapped in the tenon nice and tight!

Now the gut wrenching part, Installing the wedge key. I push it in the stock slot, closed my eyes " I did really LOL" and with my thumb, pushed hard and wham! It went through with a good deal of pressure! Nice and tight baby!!

Man i cant tell you how good that makes me feel. I normally rush things like this and end up with a screw up in the end. Not this time! Patience and slow work got a perfect fit.

No need to pay a gunsmith now! Work is DONE and now all she needs is a peep sight and a ball mold.

Hellgate

January 21, 2013, 02:07 AM

Scrolling through the posts is like watching a cute little girl grow into a real attractive woman. Good job!